File container



May 27, 1969 Filed Feb. 13, 1967 Paw/em jwz azm J2 0,4 567% 654422 J 1969 E. A. DAHL, JR 3,446,160

FILE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 13, 1967 Sheet 2 of 4 May 27, 1969 E. A. DAHL, JR 3,446,160

FILE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 13, 1967 Sheet .1" of 4 1Z5 7 M 660 MI 24 l 200 is: f a I \1 505 II a Q J54 Ara-L 505 52 4 ml QM;

May 27, 1969 E. A. DAHL, JR 3,446,160

FILE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 15, 1967 Sheet 4 of 4' United States Patent 3,446,160 FILE CONTAINER Ernest A. Dahl, Jr., 729 Greenwood Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091 Filed Feb. 13, 1967, Ser. No. 615,751 Int. Cl. B61b 7/20, 13/00 US. Cl. 104-235 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to a file structure. More specifically, this invention relates to a file structure including a motor to move a file container relative to a guide track.

Papers, such as invoices and bills, are commonly stored in relatively large open top filing containers or tubs. The papers are periodically removed from the filing container for posting or transfer of data to an accounting sheet and other records. After the data has been transferred from the papers to the accounting sheets, the papers are returned to the file container. The removal and reinsertion of the papers from and into the file container by a clerk or secretary is a tiring task. The provision of a movable file container structure, similar to the structure set forth in application Ser. No. 380,847, filed July 7, 1964, now Patent No. 3,286,651, has greatly alleviated the difficulty inherent in this task. However, the clerk or secretary must still push the heavy file container back and forth in order to reach the desired papers within the container.

Most secretaries and file clerks become very tired after I pushing a heavy file container, which is often six feet or more in length, back and forth for a few hours. This fatigue substantially decreases the amount of data which a secretary or clerk can post to a ledger sheet during a day. Even more important is the loss of accuracy which occurs when the secretary or clerk transferring the data becomes fatigued. The fatigue is increased when the secretary must stretch or reach down into the file container to grasp a desired paper.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a file container structure which can be moved with relatively little effort by a secretary or file clerk.

Another object of this invention is to provide a file container with a motor for moving the file container relative to a support surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide an easily positioned track assembly for guiding movements of a motorized file container relative to a support plane.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a file container forming a preferred embodiment of the invention in transferring data to an accounting machine;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the file container of FIG. 1 as seen from an operators side of the container;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, along the line 33 of FIG. 2, illustrating the structure of the file cabinet of FIG. 2 and the relationship of a file tray to the file container;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a base track and motor housing used with the file container of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the base track of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view, along the line 66 of FIG. 5, illustrating the mounting of the base track with a double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the relationship of the drive housing and base track of FIG. 4 to a track engaging means and drive chain which are connected to the file container of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view further illustrating the structure of the track engaging means, the drive chain being shown in a disassembled relationship to the track engaging means for purposes of clarity of illustration;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship of the base track, the track engaging means, and the drive chain;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9, further illustrating the relationship of the base track, the track engaging means, and the drive chain;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional plan view illustrating the relationship of a drive motor and motion limit switches to the drive chain and base track of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged elevational sectional view further illustrating the relationship of the drive motor, limit switches, drive chain and base track of FIG. 11 to the file container of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional elevational View, similar to FIG. 12, illustrating the actuation of a limit switch by the file container when the file container has been moved for a predetermined limiting distance to the right as viewed in FIG. 13.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, a file container 20 is shown in FIG. 1 in an operational position relative to a business or accounting machine 22. An operator or clerk 24 is posting or transferring data from a filed data sheet or record 26 in the file container 20 to a ledger sheet 30 in the machine 22. The file container 20 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a position for use by a right handed operator 24 who removes the filed data sheets 26 from the file container 20 with her right hand and o erates the business or accounting machine 22 with her left hand. The file container 20 is mounted in rolling engagement with a floor or support surface 34 to enable the operator to easily reach through an open end ortop 36 of the file container 20 to engage records positioned within the file container. Thus, if the operator 24 desires to remove a record from a far end portion 38 of the file container 20, the file container is merely rolled to a position adjacent to the operator so that the operator can reach the desired data sheet 26 without undue bending and stretching or reaching.

The file container 20 is shown in greater detail, as seen from the operators side of the container, in FIG. 2. The file container 20 includes a pair of opposite spaced apart end Walls or panels 40 and 42 which are interconnected by a pair of longitudinally extending side panels 44 and 46. A first group or pair of wheels 48 and 50 (see FIG. 1) are mounted on the side of the file container 20 furthest from the operator 24 in rolling engagement with the floor or support surface 34. A second pair or group of wheels 52 and 54 are mounted on the side of the container toward the operator for rolling engagement with the floor. The wheels 48 through 54 support the container, in a well known manner, for movement relative to the floor 34.

A base track or guide rail 60 is fixedly mounted on the floor 34 for guiding the movement of the file container relative to the floor. The base track 60 advantageously projects along the side of the business machine 22, as

shown in FIG. 1, where people passing the machine will not trip or fall over the track. A track engaging assembly or guide means 62 is fixedly connected to opposite downwardly extending mounting extensions or wall sections 64 and 66 which are respectively connected to the end walls and 42. A motor drive assembly 70 is fixedly connected to the base track for engagement with a drive chain 74 (see FIG. 7), to move the file container 20 relative to the base track 60 and the floor 34. The motor drive assembly is controlled by a foot actuated control switch assembly 78. The control switch assembly 78 includes a left switch 80 which is actuated to move the file container 20 to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 and a right switch 82 which is actuated to move the file container to the right as viewed in FIG. 2. The control switch assembly 78 is connected to the motor drive assembly 70 by a cable 86 which extends through a shield 88 connected to the floor 34 with a double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape. A power line or cable 90 is also connected to the motor drive assembly 70 through the shield 88 to conduct electrical energy or power to the motor drive assembly. The shield 88 encloses a portion of the cables 86 and 90 to prevent the cables from tripping or becoming entangled in the feet of an operator.

Referring now to FIG. 3, taken in connection with FIG. 2, the file container 20 includes a pair of inner walls or panels 96 and 98 which are positioned intermediate the outer walls or panels 44 and 46. A bottom panel 100 is connected to a pair of flanges 102 and 104 having tongues 106 and 108 for engaging slots or apertures 110 and 112 in the inner panels 96 and 98. The inner panels 96 and 98 can be resiliently spread apart to enable the bottom panel to be moved vertically to position an upper or outer open end 114 of a file tray or unit 116 adjacent to the open upper or outer end 36 of the file container 20. The bottom panel 100 is locked at a selected elevation by means of pins 120 which engage openings or apertures 122 in a support bracket 124 on the end wall 42 of the file container 20. The file trays or units 116 advantageously have a pair of bar magnets positioned in a spaced apart substantially parallel relationship on opposite sides of the file trays 116 for cooperation with metallic inserts in the record sheets 26 in the manner set forth in United States Patent No. 2,954,032 to Ernest A. Dahl, Sr. The adjustable bottom panel 100 enables the containers 116 to be positioned so that the upper outer edges of the data sheets 26 are adjacent to the opening 36 in the manner set forth in greater detail in United States Patent 3,281, 196 to Ernest A. Dahl, Jr. A posting desk panel 134 (see FIG. 2) is mounted on rollers or wheels 136 for movement relative to the open top of the file container 20.

It is contemplated that when the operator is not using the file container 20, the container will be moved forwardly to a storage position in which the end 40 of the container is in alignment with an outermost end 140 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the track 60. Since the base track 60 has a length which is substantially the same as the longitudinal length of the file container 20, when the file container is in the storage position the base track is positioned entirely beneath the file container 20 where it is not a hazard to personnel moving about the area. When the file container is to be used by a left handed operator, the motor drive assembly 70 and base track 60 are mounted in the relationship shown in solid lines in FIG. 4. When the motor drive assembly is in this position the control switch assembly 78 projects outwardly from the opposite side of the track for actuation by the left handed operator who will prefer to operate the machine 22 with her right hand while removing data sheets 26 from the file container 20 with her left hand. The mounting of the motor drive assembly 70 on either side of the base track 60 is facilitated by a plurality of tapped or threaded holes or apertures 144 and 146 (see FIG. 5) in a mounting or base plate 148 of the track or guide rail 60. Thus, when the file container is to be used by a right handed operator it is contemplated that the motor drive assembly 70 will be connected to the base track 60 at the apertures 144 (as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4). Similarly, when the file container 20 is to be used by a left handed operator it is contemplated that the motor drive assembly will be connected to the base track 60 at the apertures 146 (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4).

Referring now to FIGS 5 and 6, the base track 60 includes a channel 154 which is fixedly connected to the mounting plate 148 with a pair of flanges 156 and 158 projecting upwardly in a substantially parallel spaced apart relationship. The flanges 156 and 158 are interconnected by a base section or connector bight 160 (which extends between the flanges 156 and 158 parallel to the floor 34 and is fixedly connected to the mounting plate 148. As is seen in FIG. 5, the flanges 156 and 158 extend for substantially the entire length of the track 60 to guide the movements of the file container 20 relative to the track. The track 60 is fixedly connected to the floor 34 by a commercially available double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape 164 (FIG. 6) having an outer layer of adhesive 166 in engagement with a lower or inner surface of the mounting plate 48 and a cloth tape body 168. An inner layer of adhesive 170 adheres to the central tape body section 168 and to the floor 34 to fixedly mount the track 60 on the floor. The double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape 164 enables the track to be readily demounted or disengaged from the floor 34 and moved to another location where the tape facilitates the remounting of the track. Since the motor drive assembly 70 is connected directly to the mounting plate 148 the double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape 164 is subjected to a relatively low stress when the file container 20 is moved relative to the track 60 because the reactive forces from the motor drive assembly 70 are distributed over the length of the tape which extends for the longitudinal length of the rail or track 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the base track 60 is engaged by an upper or outer guide or track assembly 62 to interconnect the base track 60 and the file container 20. The guide track assembly 62 includes a longitudinally extending generally U-shaped channel 176 having a pair of spaced apart parallel downwardly extending flanges 178 and 180 whose inner surfaces are positioned adjacent to outer surfaces of the flanges 156 and 158 of the channel 154. Since the flanges of the channel 154 extend substantially parallel to the flanges of the channel 176 and are in mutual juxtaposition, the channels 154 and 176 guide the movements of the file container 20 relative to the floor or support surface 34.

A plurality of rollers or wheels 184 are mounted on the channel 176 on axles 186 which extend substantially parallel to the flanges 156, 158, and 178 and 180 of the channels 54 and 176 (see FIGS. 7 through 10). Each of the rollers 184 is positioned for rolling engagement with inner surfaces of the flanges 156 and 158 of the channel 154 to prevent the upper or outer channel 176 from dragging on and banging against the inner or lower channel 154. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the flanges '17 8 and 180 of the channel 156 could be eliminated with only the rollers 184 being used to guide the movements of the file container relative to the base track 60.

The motor drive assembly 70 is connected by a plurality of idler sprockets 190 and 192 and a central drive sprocket 194 to the chain 74, as shown in FIG. 7. The chain 74 is connected to the end walls 64 and 66 of the file container by an adjustable connection assembly 188. When the drive sprocket 194 is rotated, the chain is moved relative to the base track 60. This movement of the chain 74 relative to the base track 60 moves the idle container 20 relative to both the base track 60 and the floor 34. The chain 74 is mounted in a channel 200 having upwardly extending parallel flanges 202 and 204 which are interconnected by a base or bight connector section 206. The connector section 206 is fixedly positioned in abutting engagement with a connector section 208 of the channel 17 6. The wheels or rollers 184 are mounted on axles 186 which extend through both the channel 176 and the channel 200, as shown in FIG. 10. The channel 200 positions the chain 74 for engagement with the sprockets of the motor drive assembly and shields the operator from engagement with the chain. The fixed channels 176 and 200 increase the strength of the file container for movement relative to the base track 60.

The motor drive assembly 70, illustrated in FIG. 11, includes a reversible electric motor 214 which is connected in driving engagement with a reducing gear assembly or transmission 216. The transmission 216 is in turn connected to the drive sprocket 194. Of course, the motor is connected by suitable leads to the cables 86 and 90, the leads being omitted for purposes of clarity of illustration. Operating or pressing the switch 80 of the control switch assembly 78 (see FIG. 2) energizes the motor to rotate the sprocket 194 and move the chain 74 and file container 20 to the left as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. As the chain moves to the left, the wall section 66 approaches a limit switch 220 which is mounted on -a right-hand side of the motor drive assembly 70. Similarly, when the switch 82 is depressed or actuated the direction of rotation of the motor 214 is reversed and the chain 74 and file container 20 are moved to the right and the end section 64 of the file container approaches a limit switch 224 mounted on a right-hand side of the motor drive assembly 70. When the file container 20 has been moved to the right for a predetermined maximum distance the wall section 64 engages the limit switch 224 to interrupt a circuit to the motor 214 and disable the motor against further rotation of the sprocket 194 to move the :file container toward the right. However, the motor 214 can be energized, by actuating the switch 80, to move the file container toward the left so that the mounting wall 64 moves away from the limit switch 224 and the mounting wall 66 moves toward the limit switch 220. Of course, when the file container 20 has been moved for a predetermined maximum distance to the left, the mounting wall section 66 engages and actuates the limit switch 220 to disable the motor 214 from driving the file container further toward the left.

A brake assembly 230 is mounted adjacent to an outer end of the motor 214. The brake assembly 230 includes a solenoid 234 which actuates a slug 236 to pivot a pawl 238 about a pivot point or pin 240 to move a nose portion 242 of the pawl into and out of sliding engagement with a locking disc 244. When the solenoid is deenergized, as shown in FIG. 12, the nose 242 of the pawl 238 rides on the periphery of the disc 244 and engages one of the locking ears or protuberanoes 248 to hold the motor 214 against further rotation. When one of the switches 80 or 82 is actuated to energize the motor 214 and move the file container 20 relative to the floor 34, the pawl 238 is pivoted out of engagement with the locking disc 244, as shown in FIG. 13, to enable the motor to freely rotate and move the file container relative to the floor. When the switch 80 or 82 which has been previously depressed is released, the solenoid 234 is again deenergized and the pawl pivots into engagement with the locking disc 244 to stop the rotation of the motor and the movement of the file container relative to the floor. Thus, the brake assembly 230 stops the file container 20 from coasting when the control switch assembly 78 is released, so that the file container assembly is stopped in substantially the same position in which it is located when the control switch assembly 78 is released.

For purposes of affording a more complete understanding of the invention it is advantageous now to provide a functional description of the mode in which the component parts cooperate. A plurality of file trays or units 116 containing data sheets 26 are positioned or stored in the file container 20. When a clerk or operator intends to post information from the data sheets 26 to a ledger sheet, the clerk will depress one of the two control switches or 82 to position the file container as shown in FIG. 1. The clerk will then reach out a relatively short distance with one hand and search the trays 116 for the desired data sheet. The searching of the trays by the clerk or operator will be facilitated by the magnets which fan apart or separate the data sheets 26 through magnetic repulsion between similarly magnetized metallic inserts in the data sheets. When the operator has located the desired data sheet, the data will be entered into the business or accounting machine 22 and onto the ledger sheet 30. The previously used data sheet will then be reinserted into its filing tray 116. The control switch assembly 78 will then be actuated to move the file :container 20, for example, to the operators left, as seen in FIG. 1, by depressing the foot actuated switch 80.

Depressing the switch 80 will energize the reversible motor 214 to rotate the drive sprocket 194 and move the chain 74 and file container 20 to the left relative to the motor drive assembly 70 and the floor 34. If the switch 80 is held in an actuated or depressed condition by the operator for a sutficient period of time, the end wall or section 66 will engage and actuate the limit switch 220 to halt the leftward movement of the file container 20. When this occurs, the motor is disabled from moving the file container further toward the left. However, depressing the switch 82 will energize the motor 214 to move the file container 20 toward the right. As the file container is moved to the right while the switch 82 is held actuated by the operator, the guide track assembly 62 will move relative to the fixed track 60 to guide the rightward movements of the file container 20. When the operator releases the switch 82 the motor 214 is deenergized and the motor and brake assembly 230 will be deenergized to stop the rightward movement of the file container. The limit switch 224 limits the rightward movement of the file container 20 by interrupting the power circuit to the motor 214 when the end wall 64 engages the switch 224.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the motor drive assembly has been fixedly connected to the track 60 and floor 34 while the chain 74 has been mounted for movement with the file container '20. It is contemplated that in some installations it may be de sirable to reverse the positions of the motor drive assembly 70 and the chain 74 so that the motor drive assembly is mounted for movement with the file container 20 while the chain is fixedly mounted relative to the floor. Although a chain 74 is used in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other known drive arrangements, such as rack and pinion gears, can be substituted for the chain 74. The guide track arrangement disclosed in FIGS. 7 through 10 is believed to be highly advantageous, due to its freedom from binding and undesirable friction while providing a positive guide for the movement of the file container 20. However, it is contemplated that those skilled in the art will use other types of guide structures than the specific assembly shown.

What is claimed is:

1. A file assembly comprising: a file container, first and second sets of wheels mounted on opposite sides of said file container, said wheels being in rolling engagement with a support surface to facilitate movement of said file container relative to said support surface; a track fixedly mounted on the support surface, said track including a base plate and a pair of predeterminedly spaced-apart flanges extending upwardly from said base plate and being parallel with relation to each other to form a first channel; guide means mounted on said file container intermediate said first and second sets of wheels for cooperation with said first channel, said guide means including a longitudinally extending base member and a pair of predeterminedly spaced-apart,

parallel, downwardly extending flanges connected to said base member to form a second channel, with the inner surfaces of said last-mentioned flanges positioned adjacent outer surfaces of the flanges of said first channel, said guide means [further including a plurality of rollers mounted for rotation on the base member of the second channel of said guide means and extending downwardly therefrom between said flanges with the axes of rotation thereof being substantially parallel thereto, said rollers having a diameter approximately equal to the distance between the upwardly extending flanges of said first channel and positioned for rolling engagement with inner surfaces of said last-mentioned flanges; a chain means connected between opposite ends of said file container and extending along the upper surface of the base member of said guide means; a drive sprocket in meshing engagement with said chain means; motor means mounted adjacent said track in a fixed relation therewith and connected to said drive sprocket to rotate the later relative to said track, thereby to move said file container in a first direction relative to said support surface, said motor means being reversible to rotate said sprocket in the opposite direction relative to said track, thereby to move said file container in a second direction relative to said support surface opposite from said first direction; and selectively actuatable control means connected to said motor means to control the operation of the latter thereby to in turn control the rotation of said drive sprocket and the direction of movement of said file container relative to said support surface.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said motor means is fixedly connected to said track.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including: a first limit switch connected to said motor means, said first limit switch being actuated when said file container has moved for a predetermined distance in said first direction to disable said motor means from moving said file container further in said first direction; and a second limit switch connected to said motor means, said second limit switch being actuated when said file container has moved for a predetermined distance in said second direction to disable said motor means for moving said file container further in said second direction.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including: brake means connected to said motor means to stop said motor means substantially contemporaneously with deenergization of said motor means by said control means.

5. A file assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said file container further includes a plurality of file trays mounted therein, said trays being adjustable vertically relative to the support surface to position the file trays relative to an open outer end of the file container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,633,920 6/1927 Bradford 104235 X 2,334,295 11/1943 Stofiiet 104-235 X 3,044,418 7/1962 Beers 105-163 3,126,230 3/1964 Spicer 3083.6 3,172,711 3/1965 Gillotte 312184 3,188,977 6/1965 Viktorsson 104178 3,286,651 11/1966 Dahl 104126 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

DANIEL P. WORTH III, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 104172 

